Fulchester builder Benjamin Patch is accused of fraud. He became a national celebrity when he devised a revolutionary scheme which enabled young couples to purchase cheap new houses for just a one thousand pounds deposit. After the scheme collapsed, hundreds of investors have lost their money and are still without a house.

Patch is warned about intimidating his former secretary Rachel Mackintosh. Taking the stand he puts all the blame on director Raymond Jordan for the missing £159,000. Ex-employee Joyce Graham gives character evidence for Patch.